Clippers, Warriors Face Uncertain Futures
A Ringer NBA Show podcast analyzed the league's most precarious franchises, placing the LA Clippers fifth on its "No-Power Rankings" due to a lack of future draft picks until 2030 and an aging roster. Host Rob Mahoney noted the team's reliance on a risky rebuild around Darius Garland and called their situation an "aspiration mess". The discussion also questioned the Golden State Warriors' strategy, debating how long they can continue with an aging Stephen Curry before committing to a full rebuild.
The Clippers' lack of draft capital stems from major trades, including sending a 2026 unprotected first-round pick and a 2027 pick swap to Oklahoma City for Paul George, plus a 2028 unprotected first-rounder and a 2029 pick swap to Philadelphia for James Harden. The franchise does not control its own first-round pick until 2030. In the 2025-26 season, the Clippers assembled the oldest roster in NBA history with an average age of 33.2 years. The team's veteran core includes 40-year-old Chris Paul, 37-year-old Brook Lopez, 35-year-old James Harden, and 34-year-old Kawhi Leonard. The recent acquisition of Darius Garland from Cleveland in exchange for Harden signals a shift in strategy. Garland acknowledged his recent toe injury likely factored into the trade, with the Cavaliers opting for Harden's playoff experience in a "win-now" move. The Golden State Warriors are also navigating an aging core, with Stephen Curry now 37 years old. Key mainstays Draymond Green is 35, while Klay Thompson, also 36, departed for the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 offseason after 13 seasons and four championships with the team. Draymond Green is secured on a four-year, $100 million contract that runs through the 2026-27 season. Unlike the Clippers, the Warriors possess most of their own first-round draft picks for the remainder of the decade, providing a potential avenue for infusing youth into their veteran-heavy lineup.
